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    Social Media Director vs VP of Social Media: what is the difference?

    VP of Social Media is the more senior of the two. Social Media Director typically expects 8-12 years of experience and reports to CMO, VP Marketing, or CDO, while VP of Social Media expects 12+ years and reports to CMO or CEO.

    Social Media Director

    Leadership

    The Social Media Director holds strategic and operational ownership of the entire social media function. They set the vision, define the strategy, manage large teams, control significant budgets, and are responsible for demonstrating the commercial value of social media to the business.

    Experience
    8-12 years
    Reports to
    CMO, VP Marketing, or CDO
    Owns
    • Setting social media vision, strategy, and standards
    • Leading and developing the social media team
    • Managing significant budgets and commercial relationships
    • Executive stakeholder management and board reporting
    • Crisis leadership and brand protection
    Core skills
    Executive leadershipCommercial acumenTeam buildingBudget ownershipCrisis managementBoard-level communication

    VP of Social Media

    Executive

    The VP of Social Media operates at an executive leadership level, typically within large global organisations. They are responsible for social media strategy across multiple markets, brands, or business units.

    Experience
    12+ years
    Reports to
    CMO or CEO
    Owns
    • Global or enterprise-level social media strategy
    • Building and leading large, multi-disciplinary teams
    • Executive board reporting and commercial accountability
    • Defining social media technology and tooling strategy
    • Industry representation and thought leadership
    Core skills
    Executive leadershipGlobal strategyCommercial P&LOrganisational designIndustry influence

    Which title should the job ad use?

    • Use Social Media Director when the work centres on setting social media vision, strategy, and standards and the hire will report to CMO, VP Marketing, or CDO.
    • Use VP of Social Media when the work centres on global or enterprise-level social media strategy and the hire will report to CMO or CEO.
    • If the remit covers both, split the role or advertise at the more senior band and pay accordingly. Benchmarks are in the Salary Report.

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